At eleven years old, he began playing on school teams, and played on a Boys' Club Celtic team throughout high school. In the spring of 1986, he practiced and played seven games with a professional team, the Glasgow Celtics. His affiliation with the Scottish team led to his seven-game ineligibility during his freshman year with the Crimson.

The Glasgow Celtics were so impressed with Mills' playing that it offered him a professional contract. Although he was lured by the prospect of playing professionally, Mills decided instead to come to Harvard and continue with his education while he played soccer.

Mills is used to playing soccer from August to May in Scotland. Since Harvard's season only runs through the fall, Mills plays soccer in the spring for Lowell United, a local team. It was in a game with Lowell last spring that he hurt his knee.

Mills is considering playing professional soccer when he graduates from Harvard, but for now he's just concentrating on this season.

"I don't like to look ahead," Mills said. "I believe you're only as good as your last game."

Coach Getman, however, has great hopes for Mills.

"Derek is one of the most creative people you will see on the soccer field," he said. "He has the potential to be one of the top players in the country."

The coach and team members consider Mills a valuable presence on the squad as well as a talented player.

"Derek is an exceptional person all-around," Getman said. "He's funny, likable, and doesn't have a big head. He's a positive influence on the bench as well as on the field."

"He's experienced and knows what the right things are to do in the right situations," said senior Captain Mark Pepper. "He's also fun to play with."

Mills would like to start again, but feels no animosity toward the other starting forwards. He feels Getman's system of substituting all three of them works well.

"There's a good team spirit, especially among the forwards," Mills said. "We laugh and joke. There's some healthy competition."

As for leading the team in scoring again, Mills will have to wait for his knee to be healthy again and see how the season goes for him and the Crimson. However, there is no doubt that he will be able to make an important contribution to the team.

"He makes himself some amazing chances," Hotchkin said. "He won't be on the field and not score goals."